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Home My Public Portal AboutWWMSC MINUTES 2007-08-02 WMSC ASTEWATER ANAGEMENT TEERING OMMITTEE Minutes of August 2, 2007 A meeting of the Wastewater Management Steering Committee was called to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Members Present: Skaket Meeting Room at the Orleans Town Hall. Augusta McKusick (Board of Health); Ann Hodgkinson (Board of Water Commissioners); John Hinckley (Board of Selectmen); Judith Wright-Pierce Bruce (Conservation Commission); George Meservey (Planning Director). Representatives: Citizen's Advisory Committee members: Mike Giggey. John Hodgkinson; Bob Absent: Wineman; Andre Yager and Elaine Downs. Robert Donath (Finance Committee); Sims McGrath (Planning Board). APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 19, 2007 MOTION: Ann HodgkinsonJudith Bruce On a motion by , seconded by , the Board voted to approve the minutes of July 19, 2007. VOTE: 4-0-0 The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES: July 19, 2007 MOTION: Judith BruceAnn Hodgkinson On a motion by , seconded by , the Board voted to approve the Executive Session minutes of July 19, 2007. VOTE: 4-0-0 The motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Board of Selectmen - Hinckley reported that the Board of Selectmen will follow-up on the recent joint wastewater meeting that was held with the Wastewater Management Steering Committee and Board of Health. The committee discussed setting up a meeting in September 2007 with neighboring  towns to discuss upcoming grants totaling $170,000 to be awarded to Cape towns in $30,000 - $50,000 increments in order for town to work together to find wastewater solutions. The committee discussed and by consensus agreed to send letters to specific property  owners identifying proposed sites for use with the Orleans Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan and the possible need for surface exploration at these sites in order to have accurate data. The committee discussed and agreed to proceed with the goal of presenting the  Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2008, noting that the plan is based on input of information from outside agencies with their own timelines for data completion and reports. Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes – August 2, 2007 Page 1 of 3 Board of Water Commissioners - Hodgkinson reported that the Board of Water Commissioners have submitted comments and suggestions to the Charter Review Committee regarding the proposed Water & Sewer Commission and setting rates and fees. Hodgkinson noted that there were questions from a member of the Board of Selectmen regarding the advisability of setting rates and fees with the participation of town meeting voters, rather than just through the proposed Water & Sewer Commission. Board of Health - McKusick suggested that the Wastewater Management Steering Committee send a letter of support to the Board of Health regarding the proposed Nitrogen Loading Regulations as a result of the joint meeting held with the Board of Selectmen, Wastewater Management Steering Committee and the Planning Board on July 19, 2007. MOTION: Ann HodgkinsonJudith Bruce On a motion by , seconded by , the Committee voted to authorize the Chairman to sign a letter of support to the Board of Health regarding their efforts on the proposed Nitrogen Loading Regulations and acknowledging their inclusion of input from other boards and committees. VOTE: 4-0-0 The motion passed unanimously. Planning Board - Jannell gave a report on the Planning Board’s discussions on the proposed Nitrogen Loading Regulations and noted that the Planning Board will have future discussions on zoning Exceptions and will forward their comments and suggestions to the Board of Health. Planning Department - Jannell reported that the Planning Department is working with Heather Merriman (Wright-Pierce) on property locations for wastewater treatment. Other Reports: th Orleans Pond Coalition - Bruce reported on the Orleans Pond Coalition’s 5 grade poster and essay contest to acknowledge water problems and their input on ways to improve water quality. OLD BUSINESS Discussion on Financial Models and Options McKusick reported that that financial models and options presentation made to the Board of Selectmen was well received. Hodgkinson stated that capital costs (“soft costs”) such as operations and maintenance have previously been discussed, but there are other costs to the town that need to be addressed that don’t easily fall into either of these two categories. The committee agreed that all of the costs need to be included in future presentations to the Board of Selectmen. Hodgkinson reported that Chapters 158 and 196 in the Orleans Town Code pertain to the Water Department and the Board of Water Commissioners have updated and approved Chapter 196 (rules and regulations that do not have to go to town meeting) and will proceed with the task of updating Chapter 158 (information for a Sewer Department). The committee discussed various options for presenting wastewater costs to the public. Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes – August 2, 2007 Page 2 of 3 State Revolving Funds for Wastewater Plans McKusick presented information about a new Legislative Bill filed by Senator O’Leary which will be voted on in the Fall of 2007 which covers funds earmarked for towns that are moving forward with creating and integrated Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan at a 0% interest rate which could save the town 50% on the capital costs. 10:30 The meeting adjourned at a.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen C. Sharpless Recording Secretary Wastewater Management Steering Committee Minutes – August 2, 2007 Page 3 of 3